KGH Capability Statement
John Cooper
Chief of Protective Operations
- As an accomplished executive with the Department of Justice – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Mr. Cooper brings 28 years of law enforcement leadership to KGH concentrated on operational proficiency, active threat and crisis management, comprehensive program coordination and execution as well as use of sound tactics and training. He has extensive experience leading day-to-day activity and meeting business objectives throughout the United States and Europe, while minimizing organizational and employee risk.
- Mr. Cooper’s active threat leadership experience emphasizes prevention/preparation, protecting personnel, mitigating risk to employees and facilities and leading recovery initiatives after critical incidents occur. Mr. Cooper’s active threat leadership experience emphasizes prevention/preparation, protecting personnel, mitigating risk to employees and facilities and leading recovery initiatives after critical incidents occur. Mr. Cooper’s expertise in crisis management leadership is highlighted in his experience designing, conducting, and facilitating field and tabletop training exercises for senior level clients in both the private and public sectors.
- Mr. Cooper has significant experience developing emergency response and contingency plans, including exercise and training platforms for organizations engaged in international travel and business. Specifically, for institutions of higher learning, Mr. Cooper develops international risk assessments and student travel situational awareness and wellness training for traveler safety and security; covering student, faculty, and staff within the organizations.
- As a special agent, Mr. Cooper held a variety of senior decision-making positions including the Chief – Special Operations Division in Washington, DC. A nationwide team of twelve specialized programs, including the Critical Incident Management Branch (the tactical special response, medic, crisis negotiator and peer support programs), The Enhanced Undercover Program, and the Technical Operations Program, which supported an average of 6,500 investigations referred for prosecution annually.
- Leading a variety of many diverse efforts highlights Mr. Cooper’s experience in prioritizing and exceeding organizational goals through business acumen, innovation, and collaboration while developing, transforming, and mentoring teams in high risk/ high impact environments. This includes the development and delivery of the National Leadership and Command Course for critical decision making- enhancing the capabilities of both mid-level and first line supervisors.
- As a strategic leader, Mr. Cooper created and led the agency’s first European office based at Europol Headquarters in The Hague, as the Country Attaché – The Netherlands as the agency’s response to address the rapid globalization of organized transnational crime. As a change leader, Mr. Cooper planned, developed, directed ATF’s innovative National Undercover program.
- Mr. Cooper holds an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Florida and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of South Florida. He has completed the International Association Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations Program and is a member of ASIS International and IACP